David Clarkson and first-year Devils coach Pete DeBoer have known each other a long time, writes The Star-Ledger's Rich Chere. In fact, Clarkson credits DeBoer for helping him get to the NHL and then preventing him from quitting.

Clarkson, 18 at the time, wanted to stop playing after the death of two grandparents within three months. But DeBoer, then the coach of Clarkson's junior hockey team, talked him into keeping with the sport.

Now, the two are reunited. Clarkson has only scored 52 goals in 300 career games with the Devils, but fans on NJ.com believe he still provides value. Here's what some NJ.com users are saying:

I like Clarkson lots...but he is more in the mold of A Randy McKay type guy...grit, will fight, will chip in the goal on occasion...he is definitely a 3rd or more likely 4th liner...and that is not a bad thing.

Just don't try to do too much and play a north south game and you may score 15, 20 goals which would be fine by me.

I admire Clarkson. I like his heart, but he's painful to watch and I always end up feeling he is a net negative on the ice. I admire his willingness to fight/stand up for guys but that's a redundant skill because we always spend 1 or 2 roster spots just for guys that only fight! I'd rather have someone on the 3rd/4th lines who can skate and contribute on the scoresheet. Look at a guy like Chad Larose. He wasn't drafted. He makes half as much as Clarkson. He works hard, he's hounding the puck, gets in the face of the other team AND he contributes more on the scoresheet. So, I ... would rather have Zharkov out there even if he never finds an NHL scoring touch. Of course I am of the opinion we need to upgrade our speed and hands in general and Clarkson is the poster child for why.......

I like Clarkson for a few reasons. Basically he's a jack-of-all-trades. He can score, he can fight, he can agitate and lay a big hit once in awhile. Would I like to see more goals? Sure, but overall I think he fills in several roles on this team that otherwise you might need 2 players to do.